Self-adjusting container

ABSTRACT

A closeable container for storing and protecting materials having moveable internal partitions extending radially and longitudinally creating at least two independent adjustable internal chambers within which stored materials are kept separated and are individually accessed for adding and dispensing purposes. In a substantially cylindrical embodiment of the instant device, separators forming the internal compartments are rotatable, thereby allowing self-adjustment of the volume of the internal compartments to accommodate materials of differing sizes, shapes and quantities. The weight and size of the confined materials force the compartments of the container to automatically adjust volume when added or dispensed. Means are presented which preclude commingling of materials between compartments during access. Transparent sides facilitate identification of stored materials within the chambers. The device is simple in design and inexpensive to produce and is envisioned to have a wide variety of uses for compact, convenient and efficient storage.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to portable storage containers, specifically tosuch containers that store a variety of small articles

Organizing and storing materials, has always been a problem for peoplesuch as homeowners, handymen, carpenters, machinists, chefs and manyothers. They frequently waste time searching for particular itemsnecessary to finish a task. Items at home are many times mixed andmisplaced in junk drawers or in separate containers such as jars, cans,bags, and boxes. Countless hours are also wasted in organizing andstoring items for future use.

Transporting such items also presents problems, since open containersmay not be overturned without spillage. In addition, common storagemethods are inefficient with regard to space utilized, and manyunnecessary containers are usually required for carrying materials.

Since common storage containers are fixed in volume, unrelated materialsare often combined within them in order to utilize the space availablemore efficiently. Screws, buttons, nails, brackets etc. will end up inthe same jar, and must be identified and separated when needed. A jarwith a few screws in it wastes space, but adding nails creates its ownset of problems.

Many products are currently available which organize, store and provideaccessibility to small items. Such things as tool cabinets and medicinechests are designed to separate and differentiate their contents forstorage. While these products have had some degree of success, they alllack certain qualities that are essential to people who need secure,compact, segregated, and convenient storage that affords easyidentification of their stored items; e.g. carpenters who must organizetypes of screws, nails, bolts, etc.

The instant invention provides several advantages to its user. Thecontents are visible, so time is not wasted in finding items. Theorganizer has segmented compartments that can store and divide a varietyof articles and keep them securely divided when the container is in anyorientation. The device provides for the efficient use of storagecapacity, with minimal empty space. Additionally, the contents of theorganizer are easily dispensed, with no commingling of articles fromadjacent compartments. Items stored within the container provide forceon the individual separating vanes relative to the mass enclosed in eachcompartment which necessarily increases or decreases the volume of thecompartments. When the device is tilted, the weight of the contentsenclosed in the compartments forces the vanes to compress downward,producing a secure method for accessing the uppermost compartmentwithout spillage. The user simply tilts the container, orients and opensa flap, and thereafter adds to or pours out the contents.

The instant containing device utilizes longitudinal dividers whichcreate separate chambers accessible from the top or sides. Embodimentspresented herein describe different aspects of its novel features, whichare generally not limited to size and composition of the enclosedmaterials. These embodiments have all the advantages describedpreviously, allowing efficient use of space, organization, easyidentification, portability, simple dispensing and secure containment.

A preferred embodiment of the container is a transparent closeablecylinder having separating vanes rotatably communicated around a centrallongitudinal axis of the cylinder, creating a number of wedge-shapedcompartments which are independent of each other and are automaticallyradially adjustable to accommodate varying volumes of stored materials.The edges of the vanes are contoured to match the contour of thecontainer walls to prevent mixing of the items between adjacentchambers. Since all of the compartments are completely enclosed, thecontainer may be turned in any orientation without spilling orcommingling of the contents from chamber to chamber. The automaticsize-adjustable compartment principle of this embodiment is novel, aswell as a simplified dispensing method utilizing gravity to provideseparation of the chambers during access. This is unique and is nottaught in any prior art.

The proposed container may be constructed with simple materials, such asplastics, for simple, inexpensive production and durable, efficient usethereafter.

Because the vanes, or separators, -are radially free-moving, materialsrequiring smaller volume are automatically stored in a smallerwedge-shaped chamber because chambers holding materials requiring morespace will widen to accommodate those materials. The enclosed materialsthemselves provide an outward pressure which restricts compression ofthe vanes and therefore automatically adjusts volume. In this manner,the device is very efficient in the use of space, while keeping thecontents separated according to category.

This embodiment has a further advantage, in that it allows the contentsto be readily viewed through the transparent sidewalls. By rotating thedevice around the central axis, all the contents are instantly visiblein a sequential compartment-after-compartment manner. Presently usedstorage devices, such as small utility cabinets having transparentplastic drawers, require changing viewing angles and provide poorvisibility of the drawer contents, which are usually only viewable fromthe front. Cabinets are typically large, and hold very little. Inaddition, these holders are not easily moved, since the enclosedmaterials spill when the cabinet is tilted or inverted. The instantinvention stores materials more securely and does not waste space.

Although specifically designed molded holders, such as closeable drillbit cases with sized cavities for each bit, meet some needs previouslydiscussed, they are necessarily large, complex, and limited in theirstorage capacity. These molded cases typically leave no options forstoring other related materials, only those materials for which themolded case is expressly designed. The instant device provides a numberof highly visible compartments of variable volume and are therefore morepractical, especially for adding related materials.

Prior art such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,498,471, 3,441,033, 6,364,125 and6,378,533 do not afford easy identification of the articles that theyorganize. It is necessary for users to label or memorize the contents.Furthermore, in some cases, removal of stored articles is complicatedand time consuming. The cosmetic jar of U.S. Pat. No. 6,378,533 shows ahorizontally compartmentalized container. The advantages describedherein, such as visibility, security, accessibility, and simplicity ofthe present invention are obvious over this prior art. U.S. Pat. Nos.3,498,471, 3,441,033, and 6,378,533 also teach lateral storage ofmaterials and need pivoted movement to access those materials.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,626,266, 6,318,602 and 522,693 do not permit anassortment of items to be stored and are limited in their design becausethey must remove the entire contents of their container at one time.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,491 describes a tool carrier which is not fullyenclosed, therefore contents will spill when tipped or overturned.Although providing segmented compartments, they are made of fabric andcannot visually display the contents of the carrier. Furthermore, thiscarrier is quite cumbersome, and not convenient for transport.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,277,329, 5,344,024 and 5,027,972 have the sameshortcomings and are somewhat complicated in their general structure.The case of U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,024 does not teach a separate access tocells which lie within. The entire lid must be raised to add or removearticles. Secure enclosure of the other compartments therefore fallsvery short of the instant device, which provides access to individualcompartments within the container from the exterior, without disturbingthe integrity of the remaining compartments.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,540 describes only separate inserts which holdmaterials and are secured to the cylinder by L-shaped flanges. Both U.S.Pat. Nos. 4,399,914 and 5,322,166 are complicated arrangements havingfixed interior components which do not address the advantages presentedby the instant invention.

The compartmentalized receptacle shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,720,346 showscompartments which are adjustable but not self-adjusting, in that theymust be physically moved and thereafter affixed by lugs to the sidewallsof the container. The user must predict the amount of contents to bestored in the container compartments. The advantage of the presentinvention is that the size of the compartments are automaticallyadjusted during the use of the device, while still affording access tothe compartments.

None of the prior art, therefore, provides all of these elements of theinstant device: complete secure enclosure, portability, simple access,readily visible identification, and continuously variable,self-adjusting, volume of chambers.

Although containers do exist which have separate internal chambers withindependent access means, such as weekly pill dispensers, these deviceshave fixed compartment sizes and lack the shape and storage capacityprovided by a device as presented herein. The embodiments of the instantinvention have large storage capacity relative to the access cavity,they are more easily viewable, and they represent a structure which isgenerally more easily handled and durable than such existing devices.These valuable features are not obvious, evidenced by the lack of suchdevices for storage of articles today. Embodiments of the present deviceproduce unforeseen advantages for storage of materials.

None of the prior art teaches a secure longitudinal, self-adjusting,compartmentalized container which offers spill proof accessibility fromthe exterior to the compartments by orienting the device with respect togravity. Additionally, because the chambers of instant device widen orcompress to hold materials, it does not waste space, and thereforestores material significantly more compactly than present holders.

In short, the prior art and common containers in use today do notanticipate the individual or combined advantages described in thepresent device. Some of these advantages are:

Compartments which self-adjust volume to accommodate contents

Easy and quick dispensing of contents

Portability and rugged security of contents

Efficient use of storage space

Simplicity of construction

Practical mass production of inexpensive construction material

Storage for a variety of items and materials

Design can be altered to accommodate both small and large storagevolumes

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention a storage container comprises atop, a base and a substantially cylindrical body with at least oneenclosed radially distributed rotatable separator and an access meansthat facilitates the safe storage and removal of materials. When thedevice is horizontally oriented, secure access to an uppermost internalchamber is made through the access means in the top. An embodimenthaving stop tabs insures access to only one compartment during fillingor dispensing, regardless of physical orientation of the device. Theadvantages of the instant invention are automatic variable-volumestorage, constant and secure separation of materials, visibility ofstored items, easy accessibility, and portability. This invention isintended to provide a secure, efficient, self-adjusting, and usefulstorage device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the container.

FIG. 2 illustrates the top view of the lid of the preferred embodimenthaving a rotatable disk and a flap pivoting near the rim of the lid.

FIG. 3 illustrates materials being properly poured from the device.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a lid, having a flapwhich pivots near the center of the lid and a stopping tab to secureaccess to one compartment.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of devices in a base-to-basecombination.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment having access at either end and bothfixed and adjusting compartments extending various longitudinaldistances within.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the device. Top 10, tubularcylindrical body 20 and base 30 form a secure container, wherebyenclosed materials are prevented from escaping to the exterior.

Top 10 is comprised of a threaded retaining rim 40 having threads 50matching those threads on cylindrical body 20 so it may be screwed on ina manner similar to a common jar. Holding lip 60 allows movement ofrotatable disk 70 when retaining rim 40 is loosened, similar to thedesign of common mason jars. Flap 80 covers access hole 90 in rotatabledisk 70, which may be rotated to a desired position when rotatable disk70 is turned. Flap 80 snaps securely into access hole 90, and unsnaps toprovide access through access hole 90. Sidewalls 100 of tubularcylindrical body 20 are transparent and may be constructed from avariety of materials, including plastic or glass.

Internally, pivotable separators 110 having hinges 120 are rotatablycommunicated with axle 130, which longitudinally extends from base 30 totop 10 along a central longitudinal axis. Axle 130 is optionally affixedto base 30 at a central point 140 thereby further facilitating the freerotation of separator 110. Separators 110 are substantially rigid andflat and extend radially from axle 130 to sidewalls 100 andlongitudinaly from base 30 to top 10. Edges of separators 110 are shapedto closely conform to, and communicate with, the interior contour ofbase 30, sidewalls 100 and top 10 so that they may be rotated easily,yet prohibit stored material from transferring around the edges of thesepartitions.

Any number of separators 110 may be used, depending upon the intendeduse of the device. As can be seen, two adjacent separators 110, base 30,top 10 and sidewall 100 create an adjustable, substantially wedge-shapedcompartment 150 within the container which confines materials to thatcompartment 150. Since separators 110 are rotatable, an angular movementof separator 110 changes the volume of compartment 150. Thisself-adjusting feature permits storage of differing quantities and sizesof materials within compartments 150.

Since cylindrical body 20 of the device is transparent, items storedwithin are easily identified from the exterior as the container isrotated. The weight of the enclosed materials cause the separators 110to flip if the device is rotated while in a horizontal orientation,further facilitating identification of stored materials.

A closer, overhead view of the top 10 of the embodiment is shown in FIG.2. Finger catch 160 protrudes from rotatable disk 70, simplifyingrotation by providing a location where lateral force may be effectivelyapplied.

To access a particular compartment 150 within the container, rotatabledisk 70 is turned to a position whereby access hole 90 is aligned withinternal compartment 150. Flap 80 is frictionally closed over accesshole 90 during storage and snapped open when addition or dispensing ofmaterials is required. Flap pivots 170 allow flap 80 to rotate and openfully. Once access hole 90 is aligned with compartment 150, the deviceis tilted to an approximately horizontal angle. With the chosen internalcompartment 150 is oriented topmost, the weight of the other underlyingcompartments cause them to compress and internal compartment 150 towiden. Thereafter, flap 80 is snapped open and materials may be added ordispensed by further tilting of the device, as shown in FIG. 3. By usingthe device in this manner, only one compartment is accessible at a timeand materials will not mix with other compartments while the containeraccess hole 90 is open.

Because of the rotatable feature of the separators 110, any particularcompartment widens if the device is horizontally oriented and thedesired compartment is on top. Gravity forces the materials within thecompartments to compress downward, thereby widening the uppermostcompartment. Secure access to the uppermost compartment is maintained ifthe device is then opened.

This embodiment, therefore, provides visibility, security, adjustablevolume of compartments and access to compartmentalized materials.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a flap which pivotsaround flap axle 180, located near the center of rotatable disk 70. Whenreverse flap 190 is lifted, stopping tab 200 is deployed downward andthereafter prevents separator 110 from entering the opening created byaccess hole 90, regardless of orientation. The user may then rotate thecontainer so that the compartment which is to be accessed is at anyorientation, yet the materials within the device are prevented fromintermingling since separators 110 are constrained by stopping tab 200.Although this procedure requires an extra turn of the device, anadvantage may be gained since the larger part of access hole may now bedownward, and some larger materials may be extracted more easily.

Since the present invention is longitudinally compartmentalized, anembodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5, may be created to affordadditional storage space and provide a singular container which is easyto carry. This doublet embodiment simply connects two of the previouslydescribed embodiments in a base-to-base relationship wherein tops 10 areat opposing ends and afford access to interior compartments. It ispossible to construct this embodiment with either pivotable orstationary separators or a combination of both. In this illustration,upper pivotable separators 110 move independently of lower pivotableseparators 110.

The bases may either be permanently affixed or designed to bedisconnected and reconnected as necessary by common snapping orthreading means. It is envisioned that standardized dimensions ofcontainers will allow combinations of different items to be transportedand stored. For instance, one day a handyman may need metal screws and acertain assortment of brackets, another day he may need metal screws andnails. By disconnecting the container holding the brackets andconnecting the container holding nails, he creates a single,transportable container for his needs on each day. By storing items in anumber of single containers which are compatible for combining in abase-to-base manner, the user may transport the items he/she needs infewer carrying units. It may be noted that such an embodiment isenvisioned to have bases which are attachable and detachable to otherbases, so that two devices holding materials may be mated temporarily toform a unit for transporting purposes and may thereafter be detached orattached to other devices. It is obvious that a similar arrangement isdesignable for compatibly connecting tops and bases to form connectedstacks of the device.

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment having access holes 90 at bothends and having a combination of fixed separators 210 and pivotableseparators 110. Some of the compartments extend the entire length of thedevice—such as long compartment 220, halfway—such as half compartment230, or somewhere in between—such as short compartment 240. Longcompartment 220 is shown to be fixed, while the others are adjustable.Arrows indicate adjustable movement of pivoting separators 110, allowingvariations in volume of associated compartments.

An example of a use for such a design is a common ratchet set. Bits maybe stored in smaller chambers, but the ratchet driver itself is long andwould be stored in a long fixed chamber.

The present invention has many obvious advantages over prior art. Itrepresents a novel approach to storage of a variety of materials and itsnovelty is evidenced by the absence of any similar carrying and storagemethods in use today.

Not only does the instant device have specific novel aspects, thecombined effect of these novel features present an unobvious inventionwhich is not anticipated in the prior art or in present usage. It isobvious that form and structure changes may be made to the embodiment,such as having a sliding flap on the top, having a one piece top, havingseparators which hang over a central tube as rotating means, or curvingthe sidewalls of the tubular body while keeping it equidistant from thecentral axis for aesthetic purposes, without changing the basic conceptpresented herein. Additionally, an embodiment in which some of theseparators are fixed within the device allows a combination ofcompartments that are of constant volume and others that adjust. Also,placement of stopping lugs on internal surfaces of the device couldprevent separators from rotating too far if desired.

The present invention has many obvious advantages over prior art. Itrepresents a novel self-adjusting approach to storage of a variety ofmaterials and its novelty is evidenced by the absence of any similarcarrying and storage methods in use today.

Not only does the instant device have specific novel aspects, thecombined effect of these novel features present an unobvious inventionwhich is not anticipated in the prior art or in present usage.

It has advantages over other storage methods such as in this partiallisting:

compact storage durability visible storage lightweight spillproof holdsa variety of separate materials simple and variable design inexpensiveand simple to manufacture categorized materials kept accessibility tostored materials separated may be sized to meet needs quick and easyaccess to contents

The device is envisioned for use in containing the following partiallist of materials;

miscellaneous coins tools samples fasteners sewing needs craft suppliesdrill bits, other bits art supplies collectibles teaching supplies -chalk, tacks etc. snacks desk supplies candy keys pills trainingsupplies - band aids, tape etc.

It has been shown that the referenced prior art does not anticipate thisdevice and that this device has advantages over presently existingstorage methods. Since similar embodiments of the present device are notavailable in the present environment and the instant device represents auseful item having many advantages, it follows that it is novel innature and unobvious. Although the descriptions herein contain manyspecificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope ofthe invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of thepresently preferred embodiments of the invention, thus the scope of theinvention should be determined by the appended claims and their legalequivalents, rather than by the examples given.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS  10 top  20 tubular cylindrical body  30base  40 retaining rim  50 threads  60 holding lip  70 rotatable disk 80 flap  90 access hole 100 sidewall 110 pivotable separators 120hinges 130 axle 140 central point 150 compartment 160 finger catch 170flap pivots 180 flap axle 190 reverse flap 200 stopping tab 210 fixedseparators 220 long compartment 230 half compartment 240 shortcompartment

1. A container for holding items comprising: (a) atop, (b) abase, (c) asubstantially tubular sidewall, (d) at least one substantially planarseparator, (e) at least one access means, (f) a pivoting means, wherebysaid tubular sidewall communicates distally with said base andproximally with said top forming a substantially cylindrical enclosedvolume and said at least one substantially planar separator is inlongitudinal rotatable communication with said pivoting means and edgesof said at least one planar separator internally and substantiallycontinuously communicate with said base, said top, and said sidewallforming at least two enclosed internal compartments whereby rotationaround said pivoting means of said at least one substantially planarseparator volumetrically alters at least one of said at least twoenclosed compartments and said items may be inserted into and dispensedfrom said at least two enclosed internal compartments through an accessopening created by said at least one access means and whereby said atleast one substantially planar separator is free to rotate duringstorage, insertion and dispensing of said items.
 2. The container ofclaim 1 wherein said at least one access means is moveably communicatedwith said container whereby said at least one access means is alignablewith said at least two internal compartments to provide access to onlyone of said at least two enclosed internal compartments.
 3. Thecontainer of claim 1 whereby said at least one access means incorporatesa restraining means whereby said restraining means prevents rotation ofsaid at least one planar separator into said access opening therebyprecluding simultaneous access to more than one of said at least twoenclosed compartments.
 4. The container of claim 1 wherein at least oneof said at least one substantially planar separators is in fixedcommunication with said pivoting means, said top, said base and saidsubstantially tubular sidewall.
 5. The container of claim 1 havingexternal connecting means whereby said external connecting meanscommunicates with a said external connecting means of at least one otherof said containers forming a unified combination of said containerswhereby said unified combination increases total storage capacity andfacilitates transport and manipulation of said containers.
 6. Asubstantially cylindrical enclosed hollow storage device for storingmaterials having at least one continuously rotatable longitudinalinternal partition and at least one external access means whereby atleast one of said at least one longitudinal internal partitions moveablycommunicates with internal surfaces of said substantially cylindricalenclosed hollow storage device thereby forming at least one enclosedinterior chamber which is variable in volume and said materials areinsertable and removable from said at least one enclosed interiorchamber through said at least one external access means.
 7. Thesubstantially cylindrical enclosed hollow storage device of claim 6whereby said at least one external access means is moveable andalignable with said at least one enclosed interior chamber.
 8. Thesubstantially cylindrical enclosed hollow storage device of claim 6wherein said at least one external access means has a separating meanswhereby said separating means forcibly restrains at least two of said atleast one longitudinal internal partitions thereby providing externalaccess to only one of said at least one enclosed interior chambers. 9.The substantially cylindrical enclosed hollow storage device of claim 6having attaching means whereby multiple units of said device areexternally mutually connectable by said attaching means to form acombined single storage device.